Autumn is the time of year for farm visits and harvests.
Apple picking and pumpkin picking are definitely the two most common farm activities for visitors at this time of year, and something we thoroughly enjoy. Last weekend we decided to mix things up a little and spent an afternoon harvesting chestnuts. It was such a fun experience and so very different from picking apples.
Years ago when Kim and I lived in Zurich, I tried roasted chestnuts for the first time and I was instantly hooked. I knew them as "maroni" and at the time had no idea what they were called in English. I'd buy them in little brown paper bags from street vendors in the cooler months and not only did they taste delicious, they instantly warmed me up whether I was eating them or just holding the bag in my cold hands. When we moved back to Australia chestnuts became a thing of the past, but every now and then I'd see them in a greengrocer and they'd bring back sweet memories of our time in Switzerland.
It's been almost eighteen years since we lived in Zurich (eek!) and since then I've only eaten roasted chestnuts a handful of times at Christmas fairs in the Sierras and when visiting Canada in Autumn. I've missed their sweet, nutty flavor so when I discovered the U-Pick farm Skyline Chestnuts right here in the Bay Area I added it straight to my ever growing "must do" list.
The chestnut picking season is relatively short at just three to five weeks a year, and it falls right at that time of year when we're busy pretty much every weekend with birthday parties, harvest festivals and Halloween celebrations. Because of this, we've missed the season for the past few years, but this year I was determined that we'd make it. I'm so glad we did!
We spent a few hours at Skyline Chestnuts collecting chestnuts from under a large tree. It was incredibly busy when we visited (in fact, it was their busiest day ever) but you wouldn't know it from these photos! Most visitors to the farm stay along the main path collecting chestnuts from under the same trees. We ventured a little further up a steep hill where we pretty much had a giant tree to ourselves - and this lovely view over the hills.
Once we were happy with the amount of chestnuts that we'd picked it was time for some photos under the large tree - which of course soon became silly photos!
What a photogenic bunch we are!
A little further down the hill from where we had been chestnut picking lies an old rusted out car body. The girls were keen to go check it out so we headed down the hill for a bit before taking our chestnut harvest to be weighed.
Tips for visiting Skyline Chestnuts:
- Chestnuts tend to be ripe October through November but this varies dependent on the weather.
- As the chestnut season is rather short, make sure to check opening hours and availability before heading to the farm. Updates can be found on the Skyline Chestnuts Facebook page here.
- Plan on arriving at the farm before 10:30am to avoid the crowds. Parking can be tricky if you arrive later in the day.
- Chestnut pods are incredibly spiky, as you can see in the photos above. You'll definitely need to wear the thick gloves provided by the farm.
- Make sure to wear sturdy shoes when you go chestnut picking. The terrain is rather hilly and the spiky chestnut pods on the ground easily poke through shoes like Natives - which I mistakenly dressed my girls in. My rain boots were a much better option.
- Don't take any pods from the trees. They are not ripe.
- Head off the main path for a better chance at finding lots of chestnuts.
- Porta-potties are available on site but there is no running water. Make sure to bring hand sanitizer!
Skyline Chestnuts is located at 22322 Skyline Blvd, La Honda.
For more information visit www.skylinechestnuts.com
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